Truth About the Prosperity Gospel, Pt. 2

From the earliest days recorded in Genesis, to the New Testament times, right up until the present, believers have always understood that God hears and answers prayer. James writes, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.” (James 5:16 NASB).

While it may be that the intensity and frequency of miracles was greater in the time of Jesus and His apostles, I see no reason to assume that the days of miracles are now over. In fact, I have witnessed a number of miracles and supernatural healings myself. According to the Gospel writers, Jesus greatly desired to see faith in His followers to accomplish great miracles in His name!

While the main concern of Jesus was for the condition of our hearts towards God and one another, He also showed great compassion for those suffering the affects of physical illnesses. He cared about their need for food, shelter and clothing as well. His solution was to “seek first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33).

At the same time, He warned that having too many things could hinder one from entering the Kingdom of God!

It seems to me that at one extreme we have a position that we should not hope for blessings in this life, and the other that we should make physical blessings, even material wealth a priority.

Why then would Paul the apostle claim that his earthly surroundings made no difference to him?

“…I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.

I can do all things through Him Who strengthens me.” ( Phillipians 4:11-13 NASB).

Freedom and victorious living is a reality for the Christian, and this is exactly what we see here in the life of Paul!

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Romans 4:13
13For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.
And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (Galatians 3:29) . God says we will be heirs of the world, which
means the universe as well as the whole circle of earthly goods, endowments, riches, advantages and pleasures. All these are yours to inherit through the righteousness of faith in Jesus and His finished work at the cross.

For God to fulfill His promise, He has to prosper you. You can’t be the heir of the world and be poor or in debt! Not only that, He must keep you healthy because you can’t inherit the world when you are sick and always flat on your back. Don’t listen to people who tell you that you will only get to enjoy these blessings when you get to heaven one fine day. Why would you need riches in heaven?
And why would you need healing in heaven? There is no sickness there. So you need the health and wealth in the here and now! ”

And that is my “soapbox.” NOW. I want to know Christ now. But that is the KEY. If it is material riches and perfect health that one centers upon in this life in the now, then you will never be fulfilled. Being content is prosperity. Being in love with Christ Jesus is life and centering your daily living upon seeking Him IS heaven. That is why it is ………NOW. Jesus taught (as did Paul in the end of his life) the kingdom of God. The majority of Christianity is still seeking the kingdom in the flesh , looking for (observation ) it to come outside of themselves . The kingdom and ALL it entails cannot be seen naturally and is within.

Therefore, while all the prosperity gospel preachers are exhorting their followers to seek after material ( observable ) things, those who worship in spirit and truth are seeking the kingdom within, which is Christ ! That is the pearl of unmatched price. // jrap

“And that is my “soapbox.” NOW. I want to know Christ now. But that is the KEY. If it is material riches and perfect health that one centers upon in this life in the now, then you will never be fulfilled. Being content is prosperity. Being in love with Christ Jesus is life and centering your daily living upon seeking Him IS heaven. That is why it is ………NOW. Jesus taught (as did Paul in the end of his life) the kingdom of God. The majority of Christianity is still seeking the kingdom in the flesh , looking for (observation ) it to come outside of themselves . The kingdom and ALL it entails cannot be seen naturally and is within.

Therefore, while all the prosperity gospel preachers are exhorting their followers to seek after material ( observable ) things, those who worship in spirit and truth are seeking the kingdom within, which is Christ ! That is the pearl of unmatched price. // jrap”